Rakitic signs new Barcelona deal

Barcelona have confirmed Croatia international midfielder Ivan Rakitic has extended his contract with the club to 2021.

Ivan Rakitic has extended his Barcelona contract to 2021, committing to the Catalan giants and ending rumours linking him with a move to Manchester City.

Barcelona confirmed on Thursday that a new deal with Rakitic had been agreed and he put pen to paper on fresh terms on Friday, joined by president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Rakitic has won eight trophies at Barca since moving from Sevilla in 2014, with one Champions League and two LaLiga titles among his haul.

Tweeting to mark Rakitic's contract extension, which was signed on the Croatia international's 29th birthday, Bartomeu wrote: "A great player and an exceptional person. Congratulations on your contract extension and happy birthday @ivanrakitic."